Also known as things I am a bit embarrassed to admit I haven’t gotten around to yet.

Back in 2005, when I first started coming to D.C. for business, I was a power-tourist. Each day I would finish with my work obligations around 3:30 and then book-it over to the Mall to get in a museum. This of course didn’t always work.

Funny story: One afternoon after having spent most of the previous night preparing for that day at work, my touristy dedication had me at the Hirshorn viewing art. Intrigued by the video exhibit downstairs, I walked in, sat down, and was happy to be off my feet. Next thing I knew a security guard was roughly poking me.

“Museum’s closed,” he said. Through the mix of exhaustion and confusion, I suddenly realized that this poking, so anachronistic in the moment, could only mean that I had fallen asleep. Asleep, in a suit, sitting on a bench in the dark. Lovely. Rushing past the guard, I quickly excused myself, still trying to reorient myself to the circumstances.

When I moved to D.C. I fully intended to spend every weekend at the Smithsonians. “One a week,” I told myself. I am sure many people have this ambition, and like many of the same, I am sure we never quite make it. Well, with the prospect of moving on for that Ph.D. I decided that to start this academic year I should make a list of all those things I have been meaning to do, but haven’t quite gotten around to. So without further ado, in no particular order, my top ten:

1. Botanical Gardens
   What they say: “Nestled on the National Mall, on the west side of the U.S. Capitol and nearly as old as Washington, D.C., itself, the U.S. Botanic Garden is the Nation’s Garden”

   What I say: I always hear wonderful things about this place, I truly have no excuse. Tucked up on the side of Capital building, this one is at the top of my list.
   
   

2. Georgetown Canal Boat Ride
   What they say: “The Georgetown is a canal boat that offers sightseeing tours along the historic C & O Canal.”

   What I say: I work on the edge of Georgetown, and frankly this is the most ridiculous thing I have seen. There is a little canal, locks and all. Brett and I have been threatening to spend a lunch hour on the boat, and I must admit, I will be sad if that doesn’t happen.

   

3. Dulles Air and Space Museum (Udvar-Hazy Center)
   What they say: “The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is the companion facility to the Museum on the National Mall. The building opened in December, 2003, and provides enough space for the Smithsonian to display the thousands of aviation and space artifacts that cannot be exhibited on the National Mall. The two sites together showcase the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world.”

   What I say: The Air and Space Museum is the most insanely crowded tourist filled nightmare in D.C. This other (larger) facility is just far enough away to keep the tourists on the Mall. Worst kept secret in D.C.? Maybe…
   
   

4. Kayaking on the Potomac
   What they say: I am not sure if there really is a “they” to say anything about this. Except maybe “The Potomac? Eww.”

   What I say: I bike along the Potomac all the time, it is just a matter of time before I end up in it!
   
   

5. National Zoo
   What they say: “Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is the nation’s zoo. It is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C.”

   What I say: “The National Zoo is the nation’s zoo”, so DC residents don’t go? When I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon I used to run by the zoo, along the zoo, and even once, through the zoo. But I have never really gone to the zoo.
   

6. Crafty Bastards
   What they say: “Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more!”

   What I say: Its a DC thing, I have to go. If I am lucky, maybe I could get Carly to fly out for it. She would be in heaven.
   
   

7. Capital Fringe Festival
   What they say: “The uniqueness, variety, and accessibility of Fringe Festival performances challenge existing arts audiences and attracts non-traditional audiences to the performing arts.“

   What I say: This is supposed to be the craziest stuff you will ever see. I am all for post-avant-garde.
   

8. Dine at 1789
   What they say: “1789 Restaurant opened in 1961 and is widely acknowledged to offer the quintessence of fine dining in Washington, D.C. Executive Chef Daniel Giusti and his “keep it simple” approach permit the best quality ingredients to define each dish. Chef Giusti is as deft with 1789 signatures as he is with the 5-course seasonal tasting menus and wine pairings  that have earned 1789 Restaurant top honors from every area reviewer, as well as from DiRoNA, Wine Spectator magazine, and Zagat Survey.”

   What I say: This is one of the nicest restaurants in D.C., it is right next to campus, and directly above the pub that CCTers frequent. Maybe it will be a good graduation present.

9. Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
   What they say: “Located in the 6.1-acre block adjacent to the West Building, the elegant yet informal Garden includes new plantings of native American species of canopy trees, flowering trees, shrubs, ground covers, and perennials. A fountain, which serves as an ice rink in winter, is at the center of the Garden, and walking and seating areas offer visitors a chance to rest and reflect on the works on view.”

   What I say: This Christmas I am planning on staying in D.C., so I think this sounds perfect. The fountain is surrounded by some of my favorite sculptural pieces.

10. Inauguration of Obama
    This one needs no explanation. I don’t even know how one attends something like this, but I hope that I can be part of history.
    

Sure, life’s busy. But now I’ve got a list.

What’s on your list?